A federal grant of $113,277 awarded in 2011 to preserve video games has drawn criticism as an example of questionable government spending. The initiative, which would cost approximately $161,573 in today’s dollars, was highlighted in the late Senator Tom Coburn’s “Wastebook” report, which documented instances of potentially wasteful federal expenditures.
The International Center for the History of Electronic Games, operating as part of Rochester’s Strong Museum of Play, received funding from the Institute of Library and Museum Services to conduct a comprehensive conservation survey of 6,900 video games. The two-year project focused on examining both the physical components and digital content of games released before 2005, with the goal of developing preservation techniques and maintenance protocols for future reference.
Senator Coburn, nicknamed “Dr. No” for his steadfast opposition to pork-barrel spending, included this grant among 100 examples of controversial government expenditures in his 2011 report, which identified nearly $7 billion in questionable spending. The Oklahoma senator earned his reputation by utilizing Senate procedures to block thousands of potentially wasteful projects throughout his career.
When faced with criticism over the grant, the museum defended its initiative by drawing parallels between video games and other influential forms of media. They argued that video games have become as culturally significant as novels were two centuries ago or films were in the previous century. The institution remained committed to its preservation efforts, pledging to expand them despite the public scrutiny.
The project’s scope included creating detailed documentation of the games through screenshots and video captures, implementing what were described as “best practice conservation” methods. The center’s mission extends beyond mere preservation, encompassing research into how electronic gaming has transformed social interaction, education, and cross-cultural communication.
This initiative represents part of the broader mandate of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, which focuses on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting various forms of electronic entertainment and their cultural impact. The center maintains that understanding and preserving video game history is crucial for documenting technological and social evolution.
Critics, including Senator Coburn, pointed out the irony that while a single play of classic arcade games like Pac-Man or Space Invaders traditionally cost just a quarter, the federal government allocated over $100,000 for their preservation. This contrast became a symbol of what some viewed as excessive government spending on non-essential projects.
The preservation initiative highlighted an ongoing debate about the role of federal funding in cultural preservation efforts, particularly regarding relatively recent technological innovations like video games. While supporters argue for the historical and cultural significance of preserving these electronic artifacts, critics question whether such preservation efforts warrant substantial taxpayer funding.
The program’s inclusion in Coburn’s Wastebook series brought attention to the broader issue of federal grant allocation and the criteria used to determine funding priorities. The senator’s reports served as a tool for increasing transparency in government spending and sparking public discourse about the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
The conservation survey represents a unique intersection of cultural preservation, technological history, and government spending priorities. While the museum maintains that preserving video game history is vital for understanding contemporary culture, the substantial federal investment in this initiative continues to serve as an example in discussions about government spending oversight and the allocation of public resources.